This provides information about US Student Visa – F1 Visa. For a prospective non-immigrant student to study in SEVIS Certified school would have to obtain F or M Visa (non-academic courses). In order to apply for F1 Visa, student should have received Form I-20 from SEVP certified schools in USA. After receiving I-20, student have to attend Visa interview at US Consulate.
F1 Visa Interview Tips
Many students get visa denied, because they were not well prepared for the interview. I suggest you read the following articles to get a feel for F1 Visa interview process.
- F1 Student Visa Interview questions
- F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers
- F1 Visa Interview Tips
- How to Calculate Required Bank Balance for F1 Visa
- Steps to calculate Total Tuition Fees for I-20
- F1 Visa – How to Show Bank Balance for 2 Years
Above article should have given you an idea of what to expect and how to prepare for F1 Visa Interview. But, to go to next step, you have to read F1 visa interview experiences posted by other students.
F1 Visa – FAQ’s
- Students should note that Embassies and Consulates are able to issue your student visa 120 days or less, in advance of the course of study registration date.
- Students are advised of the Department of Homeland Security regulation which requires that all initial or beginning students enter the U.S. 30 days or less in advance of the course of study start/report date as shown on the Form I-20. Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S.
What is SEVIS and SEVP?
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) – Designed to help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State better monitor school and exchange programs and F, M and J category visitors.
- Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students. It enables schools to transmit mandatory information via the Internet, to the DHS and Department of State (DOS) throughout a student or exchange visitor’s stay in the United States.
Requirements for F1 Visa
- Have a residence abroad, with no immediate intention of abandoning that residence;
- Intend to depart from the United States upon completion of the course of study; and
- Possess sufficient funds to pursue the proposed course of study.
Applying for Student Visa (F1)
To apply for student visa in India you would have to do the following
- Pay the fees in approved HDFC Banks (Refer to VFS Website)
- Complete DS-160 form (online)
- Use the Confirmation number printed in DS-160 to schedule F1 Visa appointment in VFS Website.
- Follow the instructions on VFS Site about required documents and interview procedure.
Students in other countries refer to respective US Consulate website about F1 Visa interview process.
Required Documents
Read this article to get complete list of F1 Visa Interview Documents (and samples). Now you have the list of documents, but that alone will not get the job done. Good preparation is the key to get F1 Visa.
How Long can you stay in F1 Visa
When you enter the United States on a student visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your student status. In your I-20 and I-94 form you will see D/S written at Port of Entry.
That means you may stay as long as you are a full time student, even if the F-1 visa in your passport expires while you are in America. For a student who has completed the course of studies shown on the I-20, and any authorized practical training, the student is allowed the following additional time in the U.S. before departure:
- F-1 student – An additional 60 days, to prepare for departure from the U.S. or to transfer to another school
OPT/CPT
- CPT – Curriculum Practical Training
- OPT – Optional Practical Training (OPT) must have an I-20 endorsed for OPT, and provide a USCIS-issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD). When authorized, Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to the eligible F-1 student’s area of study.
I’ve been rejected twice by the US Consulate at New Delhi for Spring 2013… I wished to pursue BS in Computer Science and fetched a scholarship worth $10375 p.a. but things didn’t turn out as expected on both days…
First experience (12/21/2012):-
Me- Good Morning Sir! (smilingly)
VO (A skinhead bloke in mid 30′s)- Hey… A very good morning.
VO- So what program do you wish to pursue ?
Me- Computer Science, Sir.
VO- Ok, so which university are you planning to attend?
Me- Lindenwood University, Missouri.
VO- Which all universities did you apply to?
Me- Montana State University, Cameron Univeisity (Oklahoma) and Valparaiso University (Indiana).
VO- So why Lindenwood?
Me- Sir, this university is the best match for my profile in terms of course, curriculum and finances. Plus I’ve been in touch with some of the faculty members.
VO- Sorry sir… I cannot issue you a visa today…
Me- Thank you sir… (lamentably)
Second experience (01/09/2013) :-
Me- A very good morning ma’am! (cheerfully)
VO (A rude lady in late 40′s)- Good morning. *scans my DS-160* You’ve got prior visa refusals, right?
Me- Yes ma’am, but only once.
VO- Where did you apply at that time?
Me- Here, in New Delhi.
VO- Which school are you going to attend?
Me- Lindenwood University, Missouri, ma’am.
VO- So were you going to the same university at that time?
Me- Yes, ma’am.
VO- Which course?
Me- Bachelors in Computer Science.
VO- How old are you?
Me- 18, ma’am.
*typing on the computer*
VO (abruptly)- Even today I cannot issue you a visa. Probably this explains the reason. *Hands me over the same damn 214 (g) paper*
Me- Would you like to see my documents, ma’am…?
VO- No, we don’t see any documents. Please leave and thanks for coming.
Me- Thank you ma’am….
And I’m utterly upset now… My parents were stressing it out big time in preparing documents, applying for education loan, making arrangements for funds. But all their efforts went in vain. They were so upset but they didn’t blame me for this, instead they were cheering me up. I’m feeling pity for my parents… I don’t think I’ll be issued a F-1 Visa even if I apply for the Fall ’13 term with a different profile… Seriously, I’ve got no options other than TO DIE…
Check this – http://www.happyschoolsblog.com/f1-visa-interview-delhi-2013-lindenwood-university/
Respond to the questions I have asked.
I want to do MS in fall’13. I was diagnosed with TB 3 months back. Will this be a problem for me during visa interview? People say that even if i get the visa i will not be allowed to stay in US and i will be sent back. Please reply.
Your site has good information. In your requirements for the F1 Visa on this page, you should also add a bullet that says a student must be accepted to a college/university in the U.S., along with a residence in their homeland and their intent to leave the country upon graduating are the three primary requirements for an F-1. Right?
If on d condition that a student has gotten to the U S 4 study and a week later the sponsor died.Wt wi happen?
There is no problem as long as you can pay for the expenses.